Tired? Who's tired?

I’m sure that there will be plenty said about what time the team arrived home in Los Angeles so for the record, I think we touched down at 4:30 a.m. But, I think there’s only one person who gets to say they’re tired in the world today and that’s this guy.

He left his house on foot this morning at 7 a.m. in Granada Hills and arrived here at Dodger Stadium at about 4 p.m. Why, you might ask? To help raise money for Mattel Children’s Hospital, where his kid has received treatment for autism.

So, here’s to Gary Wolber for putting things into perspective for today, at least for me. And here’s to starting off the homestand with a victory…we definitely need one.

Last night’s game at Shea went along just about the way it was expected, except I was suprised that Kurada got knocked out early by the Mets AGAIN.
It was another rough night for the Dodgers as they couldn’t
handle Johan Santana.
I and some other Dodger fans tried to cheer them on.
Mostly to show them that we were there.
Kuo had another good outing.
It’s a young team overall and are still learning.
Don’t give up on them, they will join the competition.
I hope they take advantage of the Rockies, the way they’re playing lately, only I hope the Rox aren’t glad to see them.

Not a bad lineup if it has to be without Russell. However, I could’ve lived with Pierre having the day off instead. I mentioned this before, but he is the only one on the starting lineup that has not had a day off since Furcal has been out (and really since the Ethier benching back in April ). Hmmm – makes you wonder if something is up?

PierreEW,
Welcome back! It did make us feel better knowing you were there giving the Dodgers moral support if nothing else, and I am totally jealous you got to meet Andre. I am glad to hear he is as good of a guy as he appears to be.

I waited until the new thread was posted to show a list of Dodger free agent signings over the years. It’s horribly long, but at least it’s at the end of the last thread, not this one. What do you think? Other than the obvious that I apparently have no life.

eric – OMG!! That is one long-a**ed list. Great information, however. Out of the 2007 signings, the only one I remember is Hillenbrand (where the h*ll are the other three right now?)
I think you made your point – Ned, stick with the kids.

Eric, I am not sure how you even came up with 15 “A” signings. Gibson, Brett Butler and Micky Hatcher come to mind as players who made a big difference, and maybe Jay Johnstone because he was such a funny guy. I might say I could have gone a long time without seeing the names Don Stanhouse and Dave Goltz remind me of the risks of signing free agents.

I’m looking to go out to the stadium on Friday with my wife, my brother and his wife. They want to see Kuroda pitch since my sister-in-law is Japanese. Any recommendations on a website other than dodgers.com to get tickets?

What team does this sound like: trailing by a run in the top of the ninth, team loads bases with one out…only to have next two batters pop to short and strike out looking. Dodgers, you say? D-backs…tonight. Happens to everybody, gang. HAVE PATIENCE WITH THE KIDS!!!

“Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must reach base at a proficient on-base percentage rate and be able to steal bases. However, sabermetric analysis has indicated that stolen bases is often an overrated quality of leadoff hitters.”
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadoff_hitter

Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Eric is on tonight! Hey, did anyone else notice that when Vin was signing off, and we were seeing Ethier and Kemp do their “jump and bump”, that Vin giggled just a little bit? He has to enjoy watching these young guys play with such youthful zeal.

Have to admit I spent the last few innings watching the triple overtime in Detroit. As a Kings fan I haven’t watched a lot of hockey the last few years. So hey, at least the Dodgers are fun to watch and have a chance to win every night! FYI, Penguins stay alive.

actually I predict the dodgers will be in first place in the next two weeks… every time my freind goes out of the united states the dodgers get hot… a couple years ago when they won 20 of 22 or something like that… she went to south africa… she is out of the country till august first… were gonna be a dang good team for a good two months now.

So I’m definitely going to the game Friday, and will be sitting right above the press box, and will be getting there very early. Does anyone know how it works as far as going down to the field level during batting practice? What gate is the best to enter?

perumike, I don’t know what it’s like anymore, and I don’t know where you’re coming from, but I used to go in via the Elysian Park entrance on the west side of the park. I would take the 101 Fwy to Grand, go north 100 yds, make a left on Sunset and turn right at Elysian Park Ave.

Phenomenal 8 To 2 Victory over by by Our Beloved Los Angeles Dodgers over the Colorado Rockies. Super Champion Pitcher Derek Lowe gives it his all in an Excellent Champonship Performance! Super Hero Extraordinaire Matt Kemp Never Ceases to Amaze us with his powerful 3 For Five at The Plate, 3 Runs Scored and I RBI.Absolutely Terrific,Matt! Super Heroes Tower Of Power James Loney, with his 2 for 3 at the plate and Baseball Presence Along With Andre Ethier’s Rocket Blast were simply Superb! And Of Course, The Indestructable,Invincible,Man Of Steel, Superman Himself, Jeff Kent With His Cosmic Belt, Always Plays The Game The Way It Should Be Played! All the Rest Of Our Los Angeles Dodgers were Super as Well! Time Is Our Friend Because As It Marches ON, It Will Unveil Our Super Los Angeles Dodgers As The 2008 World Series Champions!

perumike, you should enter elysian park just as dodgereric said. they open the gates 2 hours before game time, and you can enter the field level by the outfield pavilion seats.

funny thing.. i was at the game tonight.. and on the big screen they had a segment where they asked all the players who they felt was the most motivational player.. and all the guys said russell, but russell said raffy.. haha.. i mean, obviously he can’t say himself.. but it was still funny. he’s such a good guy, and obviously everyone loves him. he’s the captain for sure.. and that’s a good thing for the team and it’s future..

perumike,
Definately go early as soon as the gates open (2 hours before) to watch BP. Last home stand I caught a foul ball. Well, caught is not the word, I scrambled to get it among other fans. Still, is fun to get a ball.
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SLR, Actually there were some guys that Russell and others said Raffy. I know D.Lowe said Raffy and Nomah said Takashi Saito. Kemp and Etheir said Russell.
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great win today. Glad I was a the park. I will be there for the rest of the homestand . I already asked for the day off on Wednesday. Also I will be in San Diego with the Booster club next Thursday for the day game. BTW, June 14th is the Booster Club blood drive. Details here http://www.dodgersboosterclub.com/news/blooddrive.htm
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Oh and I picked up D.Lowe in my FB team Sunday so just in time to get me a win!

Great game last night, I missed the 2nd – 8th innings. I left school after the first inning pretty happy to have runs on the board, and then in the middle of Target, I got a text message saying Andre hit his 5th homerun – sweet!!!! I am sure the people in the store thought I was crazy talking to my phone the way I was(“way to go Andre!!”) and then while in Lowe’s I got the text that Matt had hit a homerun – awesome! And then to top of the evening, hearing that James added another RBI to his total had me singing the James Loney song in the middle of the grocery store. I got home just in time to see the top of the 9th, which ended rather well, and to see Matt and Andre having a great time out there at the end of the game is always a priceless scene. BTW – I taught the James Loney song to my class yesterday – we had 15 minutes before lunch with not much to do (MLK – they love it!!)
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Have a great morning everyone – today is field day and I am out of the classroom until lunch time. Keep those creative juices flowin’, and I will catch up to you later. :)
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GREAT GAME YESTERDAY DODGER BLUE!!!!

It’s like the guys read our posts from Sunday and early Monday, when we bemoaned the lack of power. They must have said “let’s show them”, and voila a real power surge. That was great, and I hope it’s a confidence builder, no matter who your opposition.

I do regret that Sweeney came up with a hit, especially a long one. Now there won’t be any DFA’ing him forever. Unfortunately he can no longer do that in a critical game situation and really adds no value to the team. I’m sure that Ned and Torre won’t think so, but then what do they know.

Nelly,
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You’re so crazy. Love it, love it, love it. So glad your kids enjoyed the song.
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I don’t know that it’s been posted in its entirety lately so here it is for anybody who A) doesn’t know and B) could care:
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My Loney has a first name
It’s J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name
It’s L-O-N-E-Y
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I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me “Why?” I’ll say
‘Cause James Loney has a way
with H-I-T-T-I-N-G

Bear,
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Yeah, that one hit alone by Sweeney will keep him on the team for another month-and-a-half. (Shakes head in wonder and frustration.)
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All the excitement about Reds rookie Jay Bruce presents an opportunity to remind oneself of Matt Kemp’s amazing major league debut in 2006. Through his first fifteen major league games, The Bison hit .378, 7 HRs, 16 RBI!!!! All young Jay has to do to equal that ipower is hit another 4 HR and 9 RBI in his next 8 games.
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Could be a slugfest at The Ravine tonight when Bad Penny faces struggling Rocks starter Jeff Francis.
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leekfink and I are going Thursday night. Looking forward to watching Billz shut down the Cubs. Chad has been Good Chad, very good, over his last six starts with a 1.53 ERA in that span.

Penny needs to get his act together tonight. If we are going to make a serious run for the playoffs and have a chance to maybe win a freaking playoff series, we are going to need the Good Penny. Keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.

If Bad Penny would just trust his stuff and not nibble when he gets ahead, Shiney Penny would be out there all the time. Someone should get him that t-shirt to wear under his uniform, “Babe Ruth is dead – throw STRIKES!” Not everyone swings at pitches out of the strike zone like Andruw. All it does is increase his pitch count and make him throw that cripple down the middle.

A takeoff of the children’s book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”:
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Frankie, Frankie, what do you see?
I see my G.M. wasting money.
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Neddy, Neddy, what do you see?
I see my vet-lovin’ buddy Torre.
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Torre, Torre, what do you see?
I see Sweeney hitting oh-ninety-three.
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Sweeney, Sweeney, what do you see?
I see Jeff Kent acting grouchy.
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Kenty, Kenty what do you see?
I see Pierre’s shrinking OBP.
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Juanpy, Juanpy, what do you see?
I see the young guys outplaying me.
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Young guys, young guys, what do you see?
We see four or five World Series.

c’mon everybody!! we need to all vote as much as we can for RUSSELL MARTIN!! there is no way he should be in 4th place. he is the best catcher in the league and the HEART of this team!! there is still plenty of time left to get him in the top 2. i dont know if any of you saw but even tho martin was not in the game, he was helping lowe and danny in between inninngs and i saw him several times take a batters helmet and put it away for him. Not to mention he was always first to congraduate a teamate. that is a REAL baseball player!

I am laughing so hard, I am literally crying. MLK – that song is fantastic!!!! Okay, we have hit children’s songs. Are there any genre’s we haven’t done yet – Broadway tunes?
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Jhall, blackbird was one of the songs we did for our program – too cool!!
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I am still laughing!!! lol!! You all are definitely gifted individuals – seriously.

Dee Nelly is a true Dodger Fan.
And she teaches her kids the right way.
Dee Nelly is a true Dodger Fan.
And she’s tired of the vets poor play.
School children in NoCal love her alot.
And her passion for our Dodger nine.
Dee Nelly is a true Dodger Fan.
Her kids are gonna turn out fine, Go Blue.
Those NoCal kids are gonna turn out fine.

Okay, One of my parents gave me a gift back at Christmas. I have this horrible backpack/coat rack, which is literally falling apart, and her gift to me was to replace it. Five months later, I get my gift today, and it is fabulous. She painted the new one Dodger Blue, the hooks are red, and it has little baseballs all over it. Well, I guess I even influenced a few parents into understanding my passion for Dodger Blue Baseball – :)

JHALL, THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU- THANK YOU- THANK YOU!!!
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MLK – I AM LEARNING FROM THE BEST!! – THANKS!!
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Just so you know – I showed all the Dodger home runs/hits when we got back from field day – Andre’s got top billing (they know he’s my favorite), Matt’s got 2nd place, and James came in 3rd (and of course singing the song). You guys (we) need to think of songs for Andre, Matt, Russell and Blake.
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Speaking of the talented people – where’s enchanted?

perumike,
I am going to the series in July against the Braves (with a Braves fan), and I want good tickets for at least one game. Who did you go through to get them. I saw the conversation about you asking, but I don’t think I saw what you decided.
I am probably going to the Cleveland series, too, but I want better seats for the Braves series.
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jhall – I have along way to go to becoming an icon, but that was very impressive. I am sure this whole group will be it’s own icon. This is the most unique and talented group out there. It’s not only talented but passionate and dedicated to this wonderful Dodger team and making sure (hopefully) our voice is heard. From the fans that come up with the songs to the fans that bring the stats and facts (some are both), we are a very well-rounded group with one thing in common – Dodger Fans Forever!!! :)

eric – impressive and thank you very much!! The funny thing about the colors orange and black is that they are my kids’ school colors, so during football season, I will wear orange and black, but I switch to Dodger Blue during baseball season. There are other parents who are Dodger fans, who also wear blue, so I am assuming they have the same problem I have about wearing giants colors during baseball season.

dnelson – I was going to go through StubHub, but with delivery, commissions, etc. it would be over $28 for seats above the press box. My brother went to Costco and bought a package where you get two vouchers and two programs for $54. He went and got the tickets at the box office and they were field level down the left field line, right next to the Dodgers bullpen, and on the third row back. I hope the seat next two the fence will be mine. :) Also, if Pierre messes up, believe me, I will let him have it. :)

perumike,
Thanks for the information
I have sat on that left field line hoping to see Ethier, and the fans there were pretty relentless towards Pierre and Hairston from SD, so you will be in good company -lol!

I asked if the guys read the blogs, and if he’d admit to it if he did. He didn’t. :-) There were a couple that I asked that someone else asked in other forms, like if he’d like to be a closer someday. I asked about advice for someone like my nephew, who is in the D-back’s system. He’s having some trouble right now and is probably pressing. I asked if he had any superstitions, who would he least like to face with the game on the line, if he was a Pittsburgh Penguin fan (since he answered another question by saying he was a diehard Steeler fan), whether the guys had ever talked about having a captain, a couple more that I can’t remember.

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